Something 'Wicked' this way comes

Anna Langford (left) and Hayley Lyndon have been cast as the witches for Musical Theatre Dunedin's production of Wicked. Photo: Peter McIntosh

If you heard witches cackling with glee yesterday, you may have mistaken it for a Halloween prank. But it wasn't.

It was Anna Langford and Hayley Lyndom celebrating after finding out they had been cast in the lead roles for Musical Theatre Dunedin's production of Wicked.

The Dunedin actors are among 34 who were officially named in the cast today, and they were not holding back any emotions yesterday.

The musical is a spell-binding version of The Wizard of Oz, told from the perspective of the witches - Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West), played by Miss Langford, and Glinda (the Good Witch), played by Mrs Lyndom.

The characters become unlikely friends while at university, and struggle through opposing personalities and view-points, rivalry over the same love-interest, reactions to the Wizard's corrupt government, and ultimately, Elphaba's public fall from grace.

"It's been a dream role for me since I first saw the show in London about 10 years ago.

"I'm absolutely over the moon to be given this role,'' Miss Langford said.

"It's been a dream role for me since I first saw the show in London about 10 years ago.

"I never thought I would get the chance to play it.''

Miss Langford (32) is a performing arts graduate of the University of Otago and spent six years living in London studying musical theatre and working as an actress.

She has appeared in many shows, including The Secret Garden, Live Like Pigs, Angels, Punks and Raging Queens, Beauty and the Beast, Chicago, Cats and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Mrs Lyndom described her character as "very quirky, bubbly and a little bit crazy - in a cute way''.

She said the role was not too different from her own personality.

Mrs Lyndom (33) is a music graduate of the University of Otago and has been involved in Musical Theatre Dunedin productions since a young age.

She has performed lead roles in shows including Fame the Musical, Beauty and the Beast, Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, Hairspray, Allo Allo and Phantom of the Opera.

Show director Doug Kamo said without giving too much away, the show would include flying witches, some magic, an amazing set and a live orchestra.

"The production values are exceptionally high.

"It's like a Disney film on steroids. It's touted as the biggest block buster on Broadway.''

The show opens at the Regent Theatre on May 16, 2019.

Mr Kamo said there would be four shows, but if ticket sales were good, extra performances would be put on.